WashU Medicine scientists are discovering new treatments for human diseases by studying how the body works and how diseases impact it. When human patients, computer models, or experiments in cultured cells cannot provide the necessary information, animals are used in certain studies. Mice, in particular, are valuable models for human disease due to specific techniques that make them especially useful. These techniques are complex, and the WashU Medicine Mouse Genetics Core assists scientists in performing them.
Though mice and humans appear very different, they share significant physiological and molecular functions. This similarity means that findings from mouse experiments can be directly applicable to human diseases. Using mice allows for experiments that would be unethical or impractical in humans. Additionally, mice are often more suitable for research due to their small size and short generation time.
Techniques used to make mice particularly useful models for human disease involve manipulating their genomes, which control the formation and function of the mammalian body. Each individual’s genomic sequence is unique, except for identical twins. These genetic differences can make some individuals more susceptible to diseases like diabetes or cancer. Additionally, errors in DNA copying during reproduction can lead to birth defects.
One advantage of using mice in research is the availability of inbred strains. These strains are created through extensive inbreeding until all animals are genetically identical. This uniformity allows for experiments to be conducted without the complications of genetic variation between individuals.
Scientists can now modify the mouse genome, enhancing the mouse’s utility in studying human disease. By introducing mutations that cause birth defects in humans, researchers can study the potential cures in mice. This ability also enables the identification and testing of DNA sequences that lead to disease or control body development and function. Although creating these genetic alterations in mice is a slow and challenging process, the resulting studies provide critical insights that cannot be obtained otherwise.
The WashU Medicine Mouse Genetics Core assists scientists with genome manipulation and breeding of mutant mice, enabling them to study potential treatments and cures for human diseases.
